On Thursday, March 12, we were up at 3:30AM, left our house at 4:00, and flew out of Gainesville at the ungodly hour of 5:20. We were in Charlotte before 6:30 and in San Francisco before 10:00AM. How different is that from walking the Camino!
It reminded us that time is relative. In 2011, when we stayed at the lovely Tio Pepe pension in Mazarife, just west of Leon, I failed to pack up the bag with medicines when it was time to leave in the morning. We walked all day. The next morning . . . no meds. Drat. We took a taxi back to Mazarife, retrieved the bag, and taxied back to our starting point. The whole misadventure cost us less than 2 hours . . . two hours roundtrip for the entire previous day's walk. Ah . . . walking is great.
It reminded us that time is relative. In 2011, when we stayed at the lovely Tio Pepe pension in Mazarife, just west of Leon, I failed to pack up the bag with medicines when it was time to leave in the morning. We walked all day. The next morning . . . no meds. Drat. We took a taxi back to Mazarife, retrieved the bag, and taxied back to our starting point. The whole misadventure cost us less than 2 hours . . . two hours roundtrip for the entire previous day's walk. Ah . . . walking is great.
 Looking from our room toward the meeting rooms at the Valambrosa Retreat Center |  Gathering for a morning walk before breakfast |
| Back to the Gathering story. The Gathering is an annual get together of folks who have walked the Camino, are considering it, or are going this year. It is a big Camino party, as well as a venue to learn and share. It was in Menlo Park at a retreat center this year. Thursday evening after registration we celebrated the Portuguese Camino Route with a reception, a talk about the route, and an evening of fado music. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday after a morning walk and breakfast, there were sessions and breakout sessions on topics as varied as first aid, descriptions of various routes to Santiago, St. James as Superhero, and Camino Wine and Cheese Tasting. (Peg got to lead the cheese part of that talk and tasting.) Friday night we had a Five-by-Five. Any participant in the Gathering could have the mic to tell a Camino story and show not more than 5 slides, in not more than 5 minutes. What a hoot. Great stories. Of course the wine eased the story-telling and listening. Saturday night was the traditional Cabaret, participant talent . . . poetry readings, songs, skits, guitar playing, all comers welcome. At noon Sunday, when all the other participants took their leave until next year, the Board of Directors of the American Pilgrims on the Camino (including new-member Peg) began their 1.5 day Board Meeting. Lots got done. We headed home on St Patrick's Day. It took a lot longer to come in this direction, but we didn't mind a bit. It was a super trip. |  My new friend Nan (next to the tall man, Curt) and others who will walk this summer for the first time. They are waiting to receive their pilgrim shells at the Shell Ceremony.  After the board meeting as we sat outside enjoying the evening, a birthday surprise for our chairman, Cheryl.  Peg explains differences in styles of cheese during the well-attended and well-liked wine and cheese presentation and tasting. |
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